Safety's no accident.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS - Brief article

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The first full week of April is National Public Health Week, dedicated this year to raising awareness about simple steps people can take to avoid injuries in all areas of life.

Injuries from falls, car crashes, prescription drug overdoses, domestic violence and suicide attempts account for about 12 percent of all medical spending, according to the American Public Health Association. State budgets share this financial burden through Medicaid, child welfare services, state employee health benefits, health care for the uninsured, and lost tax revenue from the injured and their caregivers.

Certain precautions are effective in preventing injuries. For example, children can reduce their risk of brain injuries by more than 85 percent by wearing helmets while riding bikes. Properly using safety seats reduces the risk of children dying from a car crash by 71 percent.

State lawmakers have supported efforts to educate people on how to prevent injuries and avoid risky behaviors, and have passed laws requiring certain actions.

* All states except New Hampshire require some type of seat belt use.

* All 50 states...